Upon checkout, library staff will notify the patron if there are overdue charges on the account. The patron has the option of paying immediately or waiting until another library visit.
An automated notification system contacts patrons about overdue materials by telephone or email. Patrons may select their preference of notification method. With email notification, patrons are notified three days before the item is due. If items are not returned email and telephone notifications will occur when: - Items are Five days overdue
- Items are 10 days overdue
- Items are 15 days overdue
Patron will not be able to check out library materials if $10.00 or more is owed on the patron’s library account.
When 30 days overdue, an item goes to “lost” status and the replacement value of the item appears on the patron’s account. The library contracts with an outside vendor for the recovery of library materials and fines and fees owed the library.
Library accounts with fines and/or fee of $10 or more will incur a $3 recovery fee that will be added to the account. This fee will not be waived. The process is as follows:
- Fifteen days after the account balance total reaches between $10 and $24.99, the $3 recovery fee will be applied to the account and the account is sent to the recovery agency.
- A letter on library letterhead requesting payment will then be sent out to the account holder via U.S. mail. Unless the account is paid down to a zero balance, the account holder will continue to be notified by the recovery agency.
If a patron owes $25 or more, the account will be referred to a materials recovery agency with the possibility of being credit reported. The process is as follows: - A letter on LCLS letterhead is sent via U. S. mail to the patron 15 days after the patron’s account reaches or exceeds $25 for any combination of charges for lost materials, overdue charges or other fees.
- The letter advises the patron of the total amount owed and that a $10 long overdue charge (collection fee) has been added to the patron’s account.
- If the patron pays off the account to a zero balance within 15 days of the date of the letter, staff may waive the collection fee.
- If the account is not paid to a zero balance or special arrangements for payment have not been made with the library, the patron will continue to be notified by the materials recovery agency.
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